MIT Medical’s travel health professionals provide advice, immunizations, and specialized medications to hundreds of individuals and families each year. For students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad for study, internships, or recreation, MIT Medical’s Travel Health Clinic can provide the first step to a safe and healthy trip.

Making a travel health appointment

Schedule your appointment well in advance of your trip, ideally eight weeks prior to travel. Advance planning is crucial, because some vaccines may take up to a month to become fully effective, and others require a series of injections.

Immunizations and any prescriptions you receive will be based on your itinerary, planned activities, and any medical conditions you may have. We will also advise you about ways to minimize the risk of infection from food, water, and insects in your destination area.

Group travel

MIT Medical’s travel health specialists can present informational sessions to groups of 10 or more people who will be traveling together. These sessions will cover health concerns and immunization requirements for destination countries. Trip coordinators should schedule a presentation well in advance of the trip, preferably as soon as the itinerary and travel dates are known. To schedule a presentation, call Howard Heller at 617-253-1615.

Insurance coverage for immunizations

Travel immunizations are covered under the MIT Student Medical Plan, the MIT Affiliate Medical Plan, and the MIT Health Plans for employees, though some vaccines require copayments under all of these plans. Retirees covered by Medicare will be charged the full cost of most vaccines plus administration charges. If you have questions about coverage for travel-related vaccines, call Claims and Member Servicesat 617-253-5979.